2011 NBA Draft: First Round

A prototypical role player, Butler can defend multiple positions and is unselfish with the ball on offense. While he doesn't excel in any specific area, he's a team player who has a solid all-around game.

27
Bulls, Norris Cole, Cleveland St., G

Associated Press

Lesser known but certainly no less productive than the big-name point guards int he draft, Cole put up impressive numbers (21.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 5.3 apg) as a senior at Cleveland State.

Traded to Miami.

26
Nets, JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, F

Associated Press

Long and athletic, Johnson was highly productive during his four years at Purdue. He averaged 20.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as a senior, though he has the reputation of being a bit soft.

Traded to Boston.

25
Dallas, Jordan Hamilton, Texas, F

Associated Press

The knock on the former Texas standout is that he takes too many bad shots, but once he gets that under control the sky is seemingly the limit. Scouts believe Hamilton is one of the only guys in the draft who could average 20 ppg.

Traded to Denver.

24
Boston, Marshon Brooks, Providence, G

Associated Press

He's a scorer, plain and simple. Brooks played in the nation's fastest-paced offense at Providence and reaped the benefit, averaging 24.6 ppg as a senior. While he can be selfish with the ball, he has been getting rave reviews.

Traded to New Jersey.

23
Thunder, Reggie Jackson, Boston College, G

Associated Press

Once considered a potential late-lottery pick, a knee injury kept Jackson from participating at the combine. Regardless, he has good size for a point guard and is aided by an explosive leaping ability.

22
Rockets, Nikola Mirotic, Serbia, SF

Associated Press

One of the best young forwards in Europe, his ability to play both inside and outside as a stretch power forward comes with one catch: he's signed with Real Madrid through the 2016 season.

Traded to the Timberwolves.

21
Nuggets, Kenneth Faried, Morehead St., F

Associated Press

Another Paul Millsap, anyone? Faried lacks the size to play power forward, but is relentless on the boards and uses his huge wingspan on the defensive end. Faried averaged at least 13 rebounds per game his final three seasons.

20
Trail Blazers, Nolan Smith, Duke, G

Associated Press

One of the nation's more prominent players (thanks to his starting role for Duke), Smith spent most of his college career at point guard, but is versatile enough to play both backcourt positions.

19
Bucks, Tobias Harris, Tennessee, F

Associated Press

Another power forward stuck in a small forward's body, Harris is an unselfish player who handles the ball well and has a solid mid-range game. He averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in his only collegiate season.

18
Wizards, Chris Singleton, Florida St., F

Associated Press

The lock-down defender of the draft, Singleton uses his athleticism to guard multiple positions. While his offensive game is a work in progress, his willingness to play full-effort D has him high on many draft boards.

17
Knicks, Imam Shumpert, Georgia Tech, G

Associated Press

No player has enjoyed such a quick rise up the draft charts as Shumpert, who has the size (6-foot-6) and athleticism to be an elite defensive point guard. His woeful outside shooting is not ideal, but he can score at the rim.

16
76ers, Nikola Vucevic, USC, C

Associated Press

The only true center in the draft, Vucevic mixes in a solid mid-range offensive game with good rebounding instincts. At 7-feet and 260 pounds, the 20-year-old is an intriguing developmental prospect.

15
Pacers, Kawhi Leonard, SDSU, F

Associated Press

Basketball fans in Utah are well aware of Leonard's all-around game. His explosive leaping ability and freakishly long arms give him an edge defensively and on the glass, though his jump shot is still a work in progress.

The Pacers traded this pick to San Antonio to get local player George Hill.

14
Rockets, Marcus Morris, Kansas, F

Associated Press

Considered the more polished of the Morris twins, Marcus is yet another undersized power forward who will try to define his position in the NBA. He's a versatile scorer who has a good handle on the ball for a forward.

13
Suns, Markieff Morris, Kansas, F

Associated Press

The defensive-minded twin, he has the size of a typical power forward and the defensive and rebounding skills to go along with it. While Morris can finish around the rim, any other type of offensive game is lacking.

12
Jazz, Alec Burks, Colorado, G

Mel Evans, Associated Press

The polar opposite of Klay Thompson, Burks will make his living by penetrating and finishing at the rim. He's an explosive leaper with a knack for scoring the basketball, though he's a streaky perimeter shooter at best.

11
Warriors, Klay Thompson, Washington St., G

Associated Press

Known for one thing and one thing only: his ability to knock down the 3-ball. Thompson is the son of former Blazer and Laker Mychal Thompson and at 6-foot-7, he has ample size for a two-guard.

10
Kings, Jimmer Fredette, BYU, G

Mike Stobe, Getty Images

Preceded by his reputation as a lethal scorer, there's no question Fredette knows how to put the ball in the basket. What is in question is his ability to handle the ball and find open teammates.

Traded from Milwaukee.

9
Bobcats, Kemba Walker, Connecticut, G

Associated Press

Walker led UConn to the Big East and NCAA titles. Undersized but energetic, he's an excellent leader who thrives on the big stage, even if he doesn't shoot as well as other guards.

8
Pistons, Brandon Knight, Kentucky, G

Associated Press

The Kentucky freshman came on strong late in the season, leading the Wildcats to the Final Four. Knight shoots the ball well and plays tough defense, and at 6-foot-3, he has good size for a point guard.

7
Bobcats, Bismack Biyombo, Congo, F

Associated Press

If there is one high-risk, high-reward player in the draft, it's Biyombo. His style of play has been compared to Detroit's Ben Wallace: tough defender and rebounder, any offense is simply a bonus.

Traded from Sacramento.

6
Wizards, Jan Vesely, Czech Republic, F

Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

The ultra-athletic forward from Serbia was considered a potential lottery pick last year before pulling out of the draft. While he can jump out of the gym at 6-foot-11, Vesely still needs to bulk up.

5
Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania, C

Associated Press

One of the top European prospects in the draft, Valanciunas was considered a potential top-five pick until he announced he would remain in Europe for one more year before playing in the NBA.

4
Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson, Texas, F

Associated Press

With a high motor and elite rebounding skills, Thompson's upside makes up for his limited offensive skills. He averaged 2.4 blocks and 7.8 rebounds as a freshman at Texas.

3
Jazz, Enes Kanter, Turkey, C

Julio Cortez, Associated Press

The real mystery man of the draft, Kanter committed to play for Kentucky before his college eligibility was taken away. At 6-foot-10, he has a high motor and a solid inside game with the ability to shoot from mid-range.

2
Timberwolves, Derrick Williams, Arizona, F

Associated Press

Athletically gifted but possibly between positions (is he a 3 or a 4?), He's an accomplished inside/out scorer — he made 57 percent of his 3-pointers last season from his power forward position.

1
Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Duke, PG

Associated Press

Fans got only fleeting glimpses of him in college thanks to a foot injury that kept him out for most of the season. He's got speed, quickness and range on his jumper, and is excellent at penetrating to the basket.